The Difference That Matters

Welcome

The power of ingenuity

There is a new form of alternative electrical energy at
Northern Arizona University—people power.

After nearly a year of planning and construction, a small
group of dedicated students have discovered a hands-on, interactive way to
charge their small electronic devices and educate their peers about
electricity—by pedaling a bike at a bike-powered charging station. The station
has a built-in USB outlet for plugging in cell phones and iPods. “This is a
device where people can actually feel what power is and where it is coming
from,” says senior engineering major Matt Petney. “This station will give
students a physical idea of the energy they use.”

To use the station, students plug in their small electronic
devices, get on the bike, and pedal. “The station will be really helpful for
students who need to charge something during the day,” says 2012 environmental
engineer graduate Marilla Lamb.

A collaborative student effort

A cross-section of Northern Arizona University
students have contributed to the project and have built each component of the
bike themselves. Engineering students, computer science students, and students
from the university’s triathlon and cycling teams all played a role in the
development of the charging station. “We worked with the electrical engineering
students and computer science students directly to create every piece from
scratch,” says Petney.

The students built the stand, placed glass around the
battery, mounted the handlebars, and created the small computer touch screen
that displays the amount of energy being produced. “It has been a lot of work,”
says Lamb. The Yellow Bike Program donated the bike, and the university’s Green Fund,
which promotes student participation in and provides funding for sustainability-related
projects, granted $2,900 to pay for building materials and supplies.

Charging campus

The charging station will initially be placed on the second
floor of the engineering building and will be moved to different buildings
around campus throughout the year—with the goal of reaching as many students as
possible.

“The objective of this project is to make students aware of the amount of electricity they use,” says Lamb. “We tend to plug things into outlets without any thought.”

In addition to raising student awareness about their energy
consumption, the project hopes to inspire additional new ideas and encourage
other students to get involved. “Tons of these could be produced in the coming
years. All we need are students to make it happen. If students take the
initiative, the opportunities are endless,” says Petney. “College is not all
about what you learn from textbooks.”

Photography by NAU student

Christina Woodward

Get involved

For more information about bicycle generators or to get
involved, contact Karin Wadsack (karin.wadsack@nau.edu).

Green Fund

To learn more about the Green Fund or to see how you can
apply for Green Fund grants, visit nau.edu/green or
contact Green@nau.edu.